Abstract: An improved process for the solvent extraction of free oil from C.sub.8 to C.sub.24 olefin sulfonation products, which comprises steps for contacting an olefin sulfonation product containing free oil with an alkane-based extraction solvent and phase separating the resulting mixture into an extract phase enriched in free oil and a raffinate phase enriched in sulfonated matter. The invention is particularly directed to the use in such a process of an extraction solvent which comprises one or more C.sub.4 to C.sub.9 alkanes and between about 5 and 35 percent by weight of dimethyl ketone. Deoiled sulfonation products are known for utility as components of detergent formulations for industrial, household and personal care uses.

Abstract: An improved method for recovery of product alkanol and reactant olefin from a reaction mixture obtained via the sulfation and hydrolysis of C.sub.6 to C.sub.20 olefins, which comprise steps for a limited first evaporation of the reaction mixture under alkaline conditions to obtain an alkanol and olefin rich vapor and a liquid containing by-products of the sulfation and hydrolysis reactions, acid wash of the resulting liquid, and a second evaporation of alkanol and olefin from the washed liquid under acidic conditions. In addition to accomplishing separation of alkanol and olefin, the invention enhances selective utilization of C.sub.6 to C.sub.20 olefins for production of C.sub.6 to C.sub.20 alkanols.

Abstract: A process for cleavage of unsaturated multi-cyclic ketones involves thermal cracking of the liquid ketone at elevated temperatures in the absence of water to produce cyclohexanone and a variety of other cleavage products. Para-toluenesulfonic acid and transition metal oxides are advantageously employed as catalysts.